Idol Chit-Chat
This is your place to discuss all things "American Idol." The performances, the judges, the past contestants — it’s all right here.

Monday, June 4, 2007

More Chart News...

Daughtry’s “Home,” which finally cracked the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 last week, moves up to #5 on this week’s chart…

After debuting at #8, Kelly Clarkson’s “Never Again” had been in a bit of a freefall. But her appearance on the “Idol” finale kicked it back up to #9…And after a strong bounce to #31 after his “Idol” appearance, Elliott Yamin’s “Wait For You” falls to #35…

Over on the Hot Country Songs chart, Bucky Covington moves up to #17 with “A Different World,” while Kellie Pickler nips at his heels at #19 with “I Wonder”…

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Chart News: Carrie stays at #1...

Carrie Underwood's "Wasted" stays at #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart this week. It's her third number one song from her debut album, "Some Hearts." She needs just one more #1 from the album to tie the record of most #1s from a debut album, set by Brooks & Dunn in 1991-92.

Just think, if not for the bad choice of "Don't Forget to Remember Me" as a follow-up to "Jesus, Take the Wheel," she might be going for #5. Let me again suggest releasing "That's Where It Is." I still say that's the money song of the entire CD.

By the way, "Wasted" is the 119th number one for "American Idol"...

Carrie's second country #1, "Before He Cheats," is actually making a move on the Hot 100 chart, as it sits at #15 this week. It's 33 weeks on the chart make it the slowest climber to the top 15 in chart history...

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Bucky Brings the Goods

I’ve never been a big fan of Bucky Covington. And I’m not a country music fan.

So imagine my surprise when I found myself tapping my foot to “American Friday Night,” the opening number on Bucky’s self-titled debut. “Night” is a catchy tune about football and all of our other Friday night traditions.

But I figured that was just the first song. The CD would surely get worse, so I kept listening…

The next track is “A Different World,” Bucky’s first single, which I still have a difficult time believing is him. It’s a pretty standard country song, but the lyrics about the way life used to be are pretty catchy.

“World” leads into another male country standard, the tearjerker. “I’ll Walk” is the story of a girl who becomes paralyzed in an accident after she has a fight with her boyfriend on prom night. Though the ending is not as dramatic as it could be, it’s hard not to feel the tug on your heartstrings.

Next is “Back When We Were Gods,” which tells the story of a guy reminiscing about his high school glory days. “Ain’t No Thing” features the return of the raspy Bucky voice we’re familiar with. “I’m Good” is Bucky’s plea to God to help him win the heart of the deacon’s daughter. “Empty Handed” has a rock edge, while “Hometown” goes gospel. “It’s Good to Be Us” is an upbeat track like “American Friday Night.” “Carolina Blue” has a pop sound and “The Bible and the Belt” goes hard-core country by telling the story of a bad kid turned good thanks to his mother’s bible and his father’s belt.

When “Belt” came to an end, I kept waiting to hear the dud song. But “Belt” was the last song on the CD, and there had not been a dud in the bunch.

That’s right. “Bucky Covington” is outstanding.

I could tell on the “Idol” tour that Bucky had been working on his voice, but I never expected this. The closest thing to a bad song is “Ain’t No Thing,” but even it is so catchy you can forgive Bucky’s slightly overboard vocals.

Mark Miller (of Sawyer Brown), who gave Bucky his break, and Dale Oliver do an excellent job producing the disc. And Bucky has been given some great material by some excellent songwriters. The standout track is “Carolina Blue,” which was co-written by Bucky himself.

And kudos to Lyric Street Records for once again recognizing the country talents of an “Idol” finalist (Josh Gracin is also a Lyric Street artist.).

Now, before you tell me that computers and good production can make anything sound good, I suggest you check out Bucky’s performance on “Live With Regis and Kelly” at www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGzcxOB_4vk.

Don’t look now, kids, but this guy can sing—and he’s got a great album to prove it.

“Bucky Covington” hits stores Tuesday, April 17th. Bucky will be in the “Idol” audience April 18th and will appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” April 19th.

By the way, “A Different World” now sits at #25 on the Billboard country chart...

Monday, March 19, 2007

"Idol" Week on "Live"

"Live With Regis and Kelly" will feature several "Idol" alumni during its "Idol" week this week...

And yes, I think we all know which alum will not be a part of the week--even though his recent co-hosting stint on "The Morning Show With Mike and Juliet" showed us that Clay is a natural for it...

Elliott Yamin will start things off Tuesday, March 20th with a performance of his first single, "Movin' On." Of course, March 20th is the release date of his CD.

Then Wednesday, March 21st, Bucky Covington will perform his single, "Different World."

Thursday, March 22nd, it's Josh Gracin's turn to perform.

And on Friday, March 23rd, this week's eliminated contestant will perform. If there's any justice in the world it will be Sanjaya, but can America really handle another performance from him? Maybe it will be their punishment for keeping him in there so long...

Normally I would watch all of these performances and tell you about them, but since I have made a vow to never watch "Live" again--especially with Regis gone--you all will have to tell me about them.

I'm especially intrigued by Elliott Yamin making "Live" his first stop on his publicity junket. As those of you who watch the show know, "Live" is not the easiest place to perform with the early hour and Gelman's strict two-minute rule. It should also make Bucky's performance fairly interesting...

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Bucky's New Single: WOW!

For those of you who may be surprised to see both the words Bucky and WOW! in the title, I strongly encourage you to visit www.cmt.com/artists/az/covington_bucky?artist.jhtml and listen to Bucky’s new single, “A Different World” (It’s a slow load, so be patient. It’s worth the wait.).

It’s pretty unbelievable that the guy who could barely stay on key now sounds like a young George Jones, so I’m sure there’s been some serious work done in the studio. However, it was pretty clear during the “Idol” tour that Bucky had been working on his voice, so maybe it was in there all the time.

“World” is now at #47 on the Hot Country Songs chart. His album will hit stores April 17th.